…Honoring His Memory On What Would Have Been Mickey’s 80^th Birthday

As a founding member of the Mickey Leland Youth Task Force at the age of nine, alongside my sister, who was eleven, I reflect on how much his legacy has shaped my life. Now, at 53 years old, I carry vivid memories of witnessing Mickey Leland’s impactful work in the community, in Washington, and in Africa.

Though yesterday is gone forever, his mission reminds us there is still much to do. Mickey Leland was more than a congressman—he was a warrior against hunger and a champion for creating educational opportunities. Through programs like the Kibbutz Program with the Jewish community and the Student Exchange Program with Kenya, he ensured youth had transformative experiences that expanded their worldview and understanding.

On November 27, I celebrate the memories of this beacon of light as we mark what would have been his 80th birthday. Mickey Leland’s life was a testament to extraordinary leadership. From his beginnings in Lubbock, Texas, in 1944, to his journey to Houston’s 5th Ward, and his relentless mission on Capitol Hill, he dedicated himself to eradicating hunger, addressing healthcare, and uplifting the lives of the forgotten. His work still inspires and calls us to action today.

These formative experiences instilled in Leland an unwavering dedication to justice, equity, and opportunity for all. His journey to Congress was fueled by a deep passion for service. After graduating from Phillis Wheatley High School in Houston’s 5th Ward, he pursued his education at Texas Southern University, becoming a pharmacist. However, his true calling was in the community among the people, where he organized free medical clinics for underserved neighborhoods. Through this work, he witnessed the stark realities of hunger and poverty firsthand, igniting a resolve to tackle these challenges on a broader scale.

In 1978, Leland was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Texas’s 18th congressional district. He wasted no time taking hunger to Capitol Hill, believing it was unacceptable for anyone to starve in a world of plenty. “Hunger knows no boundaries,” he often said, “and our fight must be just as boundless.” As the chair of the House Select Committee on Hunger, Leland’s efforts transcended partisan politics. He brought international attention to the plight of famine-stricken regions, particularly in Africa, where millions were starving. In 1985, he led congressional delegations to Ethiopia, drawing the world’s eyes to the devastation. His advocacy resulted in increased funding for food aid programs and partnerships with global organizations to combat hunger.

At home, Leland championed policies to address prescription drug costs, homelessness, and the challenges facing low-income communities. He understood that hunger was often a symptom of larger systemic issues. He fought for housing programs to support the homeless and economic initiatives to create jobs for unskilled and under-skilled workers. His efforts provided a lifeline to countless families who had lost hope. Leland’s ability to connect with people—whether a world leader or a struggling parent—was unparalleled. “Once you met Mickey, you felt like you’d known him forever,” his colleagues often said. His passion inspired action and his charisma drew supporters from all walks of life. Tragically, Mickey Leland’s life was cut short on August 7, 1989, when his plane crashed in Ethiopia during a humanitarian mission to deliver food and medical supplies to refugees.

The world lost a bold and compassionate leader, but his legacy endures. Today, programs he championed continue to provide food, housing, and opportunities for those in need. Statues and schools bear his name, but his greatest monument is the lives he touched and the movements he ignited. Mickey Leland believed that hunger and poverty were not insurmountable. “We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers,” he often reminded others. Through his life and work, he proved that one person’s determination could indeed change the world.

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♦ Rep Jarvis Johnson represents House District 139. In 2005, Johnson was elected to the Houston City Council to represent District B, making him one of the youngest Council Members in history.

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Texas Guardian News

INTERNATIONAL GUARDIAN is the boldest and brightest issue-oriented international newspaper published in Houston, Texas. Strategically, it strives to promote private enterprise, support responsible government and advocate social justice.

Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)

• Champion for the Hungry: The Legacy of Congressman Mickey Leland - November 29, 2024
• Trump demands Republicans ‘kill’ bill that would protect journalists from government spying - November 22, 2024
• USCIS Simplifies the Path to U.S. Citizenship for Long-Term Permanent Residents - November 22, 2024

Trump wrote on his favorite social network that “REPUBLICANS MUST KILL THIS BILL!”

He linked to a PBS “NewsHour” interview with Jodie Ginsberg, the CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists, who urged the Senate to pass the legislation.

Known as the PRESS Act, the Protect Reporters From Exploitative State Spying Act would prevent the government from forcing journalists to reveal their sources and limit the seizure of their data without their knowledge.

According to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, one of the many groups advocating for the bill, “The PRESS Act would bar the federal government from using subpoenas, search warrants, or other compulsory actions against journalists to force the disclosure of information identifying confidential sources as well as other newsgathering records, except in very limited circumstances. It would also broadly limit the government’s ability to use the same actions against third parties, including email providers and search engines, to seize journalists’ data, with narrow exceptions.”

The bill has been passed by the House of Representatives twice with bipartisan support, and it has Republican sponsors in the Senate, but it has been stalled for months in the Senate Judiciary Committee, with Sen. Tom Cotton is said to be holding up the measure.

Cotton’s office did not respond to a request for comment about his position on the bill.

After Trump’s reelection earlier this month, press advocacy groups redoubled their efforts to get the legislation signed into law before the end of President Joe Biden’s term.

After Trump’s reelection earlier this month, press advocacy groups redoubled their efforts to get the legislation signed into law before the end of President Joe Biden’s term.

“It’s really important that we have that federal shield law to protect journalists at the federal level,” Ginsberg said on PBS. “We know that Trump is interested in going after whistleblowers, people who leak. And it’s absolutely essential that they are protected… and that journalists are allowed to do their job.”

Several media outlets and newspaper editorial boards have urged readers to contact their senators and lobby for the passage of the bill.

“Hostility toward the news media in the polarized politics of the day makes it more urgent than ever to ensure that reporters can continue to pursue their essential role as watchdogs,” The New York Times editorial board opined last month.

But “Senate Democrats are running out of time” to pass the law, WIRED reporter Dell Cameron wrote last week. Democratic lawmakers have focused on confirming Biden’s judicial nominees during the lame-duck session.

Trump’s edict on Wednesday may have sealed the bill’s fate while also raising public awareness of the issue.

Trevor Timm, executive director of Freedom of the Press Foundation, told CNN that Trump should reconsider his position because “the PRESS Act protects conservative and independent journalists just as much as it does anyone in the mainstream press.”

“Democratic administrations abused their powers to spy on journalists many times, too,” he said. “The bipartisan PRESS Act will stop government overreach and protect the First Amendment once and for all.”

“Much of the reporting Trump likes, from the Twitter files to stories poking holes in the Russiagate conspiracy, came from confidential sources,” Timm observed. “Many Trump supporters from Rep. Jim Jordan to Sen. Mike Lee are champions of the PRESS Act because it would protect all journalists, including many who reach primarily conservative audiences. That’s good for the public, whether they voted Republican or Democrat.”

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Texas Guardian News

INTERNATIONAL GUARDIAN is the boldest and brightest issue-oriented international newspaper published in Houston, Texas. Strategically, it strives to promote private enterprise, support responsible government and advocate social justice.

Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)

• Champion for the Hungry: The Legacy of Congressman Mickey Leland - November 29, 2024
• Trump demands Republicans ‘kill’ bill that would protect journalists from government spying - November 22, 2024
• USCIS Simplifies the Path to U.S. Citizenship for Long-Term Permanent Residents - November 22, 2024

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant update to its policy regarding the lawful admission requirement for naturalization applicants.

Effective November 14, 2024, this change clarifies the burden of proof for lawful permanent residents (LPRs) seeking to become U.S. citizens.

The new guidance specifies that naturalization applicants need only demonstrate lawful admission for permanent residence at the time of their initial entry or adjustment of status. This marks a departure from the previous interpretation, which considered subsequent reentries into the United States.

This policy update aligns with a recent decision by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Azumah v. USCIS. The court determined that USCIS’s earlier interpretation imposed an additional requirement not found in the statute. The court ruled that applicants should only need to prove their lawful admission at the time of their initial admission or adjustment to LPR status, rather than at any subsequent reentry.

This change is expected to simplify the naturalization process for many applicants, as it removes a layer of complexity related to their travel history. Under the new policy, USCIS will focus on an applicant’s initial admission or adjustment to LPR status, meaning that subsequent reentries will not be considered in determining lawful admission. This shift could significantly benefit long-term LPRs who have maintained their status but may have faced complications during later travels.

By narrowing the scope of what is required for naturalization, USCIS aims to provide a clearer and more consistent process for applicants.

The updated guidance is effective immediately and applies to pending requests as well as new applications filed on or after November 14, 2024. It has been incorporated into Volume 12 of the USCIS Policy Manual.

This change is part of USCIS’s ongoing efforts to streamline immigration processes and align them with recent legal interpretations, ultimately reducing barriers for eligible LPRs seeking to become U.S. citizens.

• About
• Latest Posts

Texas Guardian News

INTERNATIONAL GUARDIAN is the boldest and brightest issue-oriented international newspaper published in Houston, Texas. Strategically, it strives to promote private enterprise, support responsible government and advocate social justice.

Latest posts by Texas Guardian News (see all)

• Champion for the Hungry: The Legacy of Congressman Mickey Leland - November 29, 2024
• Trump demands Republicans ‘kill’ bill that would protect journalists from government spying - November 22, 2024
• USCIS Simplifies the Path to U.S. Citizenship for Long-Term Permanent Residents - November 22, 2024